Here’s your sign – just don’t put it in the right-of-way

County officials are joining the Georgia Department of Transportation in reminding residents and businesses in Stephens County that road right-of-ways -whether on state-maintained roads, or county roads – are not the place for signs. 

A press release issued yesterday by the county Public Works Department requests that any non-permitted signs within road right-of-ways be removed.

The notice states, “in accordance with the recent notice sent out by the Georgia Department of Transportation, regarding signage in the state right-of-way, Stephens COunty Public Works is also sending a friendly reminder that signage of any kind, including but not limited to signs that advertise yard sales, real estate, or goods and services for sale, that is found in the county right-of-way and not previously authorized is unlawful and will be removed as soon as possible after discovery by Public Works maintenance crews as part of the departments routine maintenance work.”

Officials note that election seasons typically see a significant increase in these unapproved signs, saying “It’s not unusual for Public Works maintenance employees to uproot several hundred signs during an election year. The signs are then taken back to the crew’s county headquarters and held for 90 days, giving owners an opportunity to reclaim them. If  not reclaimed, the signs will then be destroyed.“

A Georgia DOT press release states “Signs on the state highway system – interstates and state routes – must be approved and permitted to be placed on the right of way. Unauthorized signs can distract drivers or obstruct their view, which creates a safety hazard. They can also lead to debris that clogs drainage systems along highways and state routes during inclement weather, which creates safety hazards.”

Georgia Code 32-6-51 states that “it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, place or maintain within the right of way of any public road any sign, signal or other device except as authorized by subsection (d) of this Code section.” Violation is a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or 12 months in jail.”

The width of the right of way depends on the route, state officials say, explaining that if there are power poles on the right of way, the edge is usually behind the poles. They recommend checking with the local DOT office for guidance before placing any signs near a state roadway, and county officials offer the same advice about contacting the Public Works department for more information about county right-of-ways.

Stephens County, along with Banks, Elbert, Franklin, Hart and Madison Counties falls under GDOTs District 1, Area 3 office in Carnesville, which can be reached at (706) 384-7269.  Habersham and Rabun counties are part of GDOT’s District 1, Area 4 region, with an office in Cleveland, reachable at (706) 348-4848.

To contact the Stephens County Public Works Department, call (706) 886-2412 or email [email protected].